21-6 Change A
U.S. Navy Diving Manual—Volume 5
seen reason. In either instance, the Surface Decompression Tables may be used to
remove the diver from the water, if the surfacing time occurs such that water stops
are either not required or have already been completed. When the conditions that
permit using the Surface Decompression Tables are not fulfilled, the diver’s
decompression will be compromised. Special care shall be taken to detect signs of
decompression sickness. The diver must be returned to pressure as soon as
possible.
21-3.2
Treating Omitted Decompression with Symptoms. If the diver develops symp-
toms of decompression sickness during the surface interval, treat in accordance
with the procedures in paragraph 21-4 (no chamber available) or paragraph 21-5
(chamber available). If the diver has no symptoms of decompression sickness or
Table 21-3. Management of Asymptomatic Omitted Decompression.
Depth at Which
Omission
Began
Decompression
Status
Eligiblefor
Sur-D?
Surface Interval
(Note 4)
Action
ChamberAvailable
(Note 3)
No Chamber
Available
20 fsw or
shallower
No Decompression
N/A
N/A
Observe on surface for 1 hour.
Decompression
Stops Required
Yes
Less than 5
minutes
Use Surface
Decompression
Tables.
Perform Chamber
stops in water. (Note 1)
No
Less than 1
minute
Return to depth of stop. Increase stop time 1
minute. Resume decompression.
No.
Greater than 1
minute.
Return to depth of stop. Multiply 20- and 10-foot
stop times by 1.5.
OR: Treatment Table 5 (1A) for surface interval
less than 5 minutes.
OR: Treatment Table 6 (2A) for surface interval
greater than 5 minutes.
Deeper than
20 fsw
No-Decompression
N/A
N/A
Observe on surface for 1 hour.
Decompression
Stops Required
Yes
Less than 5
minutes.
Use Surface
Decompression Tables
Perform chamber
stops in water (Note 1)
Decompression
Stops Required
(Less than 30
minutes missed)
No
No
Less than 5
minutes.
Greater than 5
minutes.
Treatment Table 5 (1A)
(Note 2)
Treatment Table 6 (2A)
(Note 2)
Descend to depth of
first stop. Follow the
schedule to 30 fsw.
Multiply 30, 20, and 10
fsw stops by 1.5.
Decompression
Stops Required
(Greater than 30
minutes)
No
Any
Treatment Table 6 (2A)
(Note 2)
Notes:
1.
Sur-D Air only.
2.
If a diver missed a stop deeper than 60 feet and oxygen is available, first compress to the depth of the first missed stop.
Double this stop, then decompress to 60 feet using the appropriate decompression schedule doubling all stop times.
Decompress from 60 feet on Treatment Table 5 or 6 as appropriate. If oxygen is unavailable, treat on a full Treatment Table
1A or 2A as appropriate.
3.
Using a recompression chamber is strongly preferred over in-water recompression for returning a diver to pressure.
Compress to depth as fast as possible not to exceed 100 fsw/min.
4. For surface decompression, the 5 minute surface interval starts after leaving the 30 foot stop or 30 fsw if no in-water stops
are required till the diver reaches 40 fsw in the chamber.
